The room was cold, as were the restraints that suspended Andros's wrists in the air, high enough to prevent his feet from touching the floor. His shirt was gone, and he was just left with his pants, exposing his scars and burn marks. His upper body was also exposed to the coldness of the room.

Andros slowly opened his eyes. He couldn't see. It was pitch black. He could however, feel the pain in his arms from hanging above the ground. He tried to move his arms and legs, but couldn't because of the restraints.

Suddenly, Andros was hit with a sudden flash of light as the lights turned on and the door in front of him opened. Andros saw a familiar face come in through the door – Darkonda.

"Welcome, Andros, to Renosar." Said Darkonda. He was accompanied by one of the seven bounty hunters that captured Andros.

"Alive and well, just as you requested." Said the hunter.

"Good. Your pay is waiting for you outside." Said Darkonda, with his eyes still focused on Andros.

"Pleasure doing business with you." Said the bounty hunter before he left, leaving Andros alone with Darkonda.

"It's been too long, hasn't it? It must have been about three years since Yefax Prime." Said Darkonda.

"How do you…"

"I'm the one who gave you those." Said Darkonda as he pointed to Andros's scars.

"You…" Andros tried to move again, but he couldn't.

"Magnetic, anti-gravity restraints. I can pull apart your limbs with those if I wanted to. Although, it wouldn't be much fun."

Darkonda raised his left fist, and opened it, revealing a small workpad, as well as a small metallic device, which looked like a thick quarter. He placed it on Andros's right temple. He then pushed the button on the workpad.

Instantly, Andros felt immense pain throughout his body. He screamed out loud. Darkonda pushed the button again, and the pain was gone. Andros breathed heavily.

"I haven't heard that sound in a long time." Said Darkonda. He put his finger on the pad, and then moved it up a bit before pushing the button again.

Andros screamed again. Darkonda had his eyes closed, and a smile on his face, as if he was enjoying some soothing music. He pushed the button again.

"This device allows the user to torture a person without physically hurting them by sending false impulses to the brain." Darkonda explained.

"What do you want?" asked Andros.

Darkonda walked closer to Andros, until his face just less than a foot away from Andros's face. "I want you to suffer, and then die." He said.

"What did I ever do to you?" asked Andros.

"Nothing. In fact, you've helped me. You got Astronema out of the way, allowing me to take the Dark Fortress. I suppose I should thank you. You see, I want what Dark Specter wanted. I want to rule the galaxy. You're just in my way. I've read your history, and I know all of your accomplishments. You've done quite a lot to put a dent in Dark Specter's plans. I simply want you out of my way. But, it would be such a waste to kill you, when I could have some fun." Darkonda explained.

Andros kept quiet. "Since you're here, I might as well tell you some secrets." Said Darkonda.

"What are you talking about?" asked Andros.

"I was the one who kidnapped your sister years ago." Darkonda confessed.

Andros tried to hit Darkonda with his arms, but he still couldn't move them.

Darkonda smirked. "I also know who gave us all your military codes, your tactical data. It was the same person that allowed your father to be captured, but your own sister-"

"I'm going to kill you when I get out of these restraints." Andros threatened.

Darkonda pressed the button once again. Andros, like the last two times, screamed in pain. Darkonda pushed the button again, stopping the torture process.

"That's assuming you don't lose your mind first." Said Darkonda.

Dakonda pushed the button and walked towards the door while listening to Andros scream. Once he was at the door, he deactivated the device.

"I'll share some more secrets next time." Said Darkonda before he left, leaving Andros alone in the dark, breathing heavily.


"Sensors."

"Online." Ashley reported. She was at her old station. The team was ready to leave. They were informed of the mission plan, and had made all the necessary preparations.

"Ship's systems." Asked Zhane. He was leading the mission. Andros's absence left Zhane in command of the team.

"Fully operational." Karone reported. She had provided the team with details of the holding facility where Andros was being held captive. During her days as Astronema, she had been there plenty of times.

"Helm."

"Coordinates locked in. All systems go. Ready for hyperrush." Carlos reported.

"Deca, status on weapons." Zhane inquired.

"All launch tubes are loaded. Railguns and energy weapons online." Deca reported.

"Let's do this. Carlos, hyperrush nine" ordered Zhane.

Carlos had his hand over the hyperrush control. "Hyperrush in three, two, one."


A/N – Rangers to the rescue. I think I was inspired by the episode "Denna" in Legend of the Seeker. When I think of this chapter, I just think of that episode, so, maybe that's where I got the idea. I also wanted to have Darkonda meet Andros again to tell him that he was the one who tortured him. I also chose not to physically harm Andros, because I need him in a not-stuck-in-bed level of health for the coming chapters.

Next chapter is going to be the rescue, and I've got almost 2000 words so far. I tried to make it longer since it's the 50th chapter.

Here's a little preview.


"Carlos, we need you, now!" said Zhane.

All of the enemy ships began tiring at the cargo ship. Karone tried to doge them all, but a couple of them hit the ship.

"Shields are down! We've lost hyperrush." Zhane reported.